Latest news with #ArtGalleryofBurlington
Hamilton Spectator
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Here's what happening in Hamilton this weekend
Environment Canada forecasts a mix of rain showers and sun in Hamilton this weekend. Saturday will see a high of 17 C and sunny conditions, before moving into Sunday's high of 17 C and a mix of sunny, cloudy and rainy conditions. On Friday, the agency forecasts a high of 13 C and a chance of showers. Despite the prediction, several events will happen rain or shine. Here is what you can get up to this weekend: Craftadian features handmade goods from more than 65 Canadian makers, including art, jewelry, handbags, candles, prints and knitwear. The event is on Saturday, May 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature music from DJ Julie Fazooli. Go to Ron Joyce Centre at 4350 South Service Rd., Burlington. Admission is $5 online at or at the door. The Art Gallery of Burlington will host a spring sale featuring carving and wood arts, paintings, pottery, sculptures and photography from more than 100 artists. The sale runs on Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Bill King will host the first free walking tour of its eighth season on Sunday, May 25. This time around, the theme is 19th century 'Golden Age of Stone' in Hamilton. The tour will start at King Street West and John Street at 10 a.m. Watch the Hamilton Cardinals face the Chatham-Kent Barnstormers and enjoy a night of music at Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium on Friday, May 23 at 7:35 p.m. The stadium is located in Mohawk Sports Complex at 1100 Mohawk Rd. E., Hamilton. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Buy $12 tickets at . The mall is hosting free zumba classes every Friday from 9 to 9:45 a.m. Go to 999 Upper Wentworth St. in Hamilton in the mall's upper level centre court to attend. To register for the event, go to . Two local roller derby teams will compete on Saturday, May 24 against Toronto teams. The first game is the HCRD Pier Pressure against Toronto Roller Derby Toxins at 5 p.m. For the second, HCRD Dundurn Hassle will go up against the Toronto Roller Derby at 7:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs to the game at Coronation Arena at 81 Macklin St. N., Hamilton. Tickets are $15. To buy, go to . Pro wrestling comes to the Germania Club of Hamilton at 863 King St. E. on Friday, May 23 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 on . On Saturday, May 24, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will kick off against the Toronto Argonauts at 7 p.m. in Hamilton Stadium. For tickets, go to . On Saturday, May 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. families can take a tour of city vehicles, including a Burlington transit bus, street sweeper, snowplow, fire truck and Zamboni. There will be a snowplow and backhoe simulator at the event. Forestry staff will also give away a limited number of trees on a first-come, first-served basis. The pop-up is part of the city's 10-year downtown revitalization strategy in an effort to gather insights about community aspirations, unmet needs and future opportunities. The event will happen rain or shine at Mainway Recreation Centre at 4015 Mainway, Burlington. On Friday, May 23 at 2:30 p.m., Royal Botanical Gardens staff will help migrating fish to their spawning grounds in Cootes Paradise. The Fishway is at the outlet of the marsh, a short walk from Princess Point accessed along the Desjardins Trail. The operation lasts about 30 minutes. For more details, go to . Sunday, May 25 from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. is the second annual New Music Expo Stage where five bands will compete for a spot on the Gage Park's George R. Robinson Bandshell during the late June, early July festival. Local music and entertainment industry figures will choose the winning band, who will also receive a gift package and a broadcast-ready EP recording session at Hamilton's Boxo Studio. The fundraiser event will happen at Stonewalls Restobar at 339 York Blvd., Hamilton. Advance tickets are $15 or $20 at the door. To buy, go to . Cheyenne Bholla is a reporter at The Hamilton Spectator. cbholla@
Hamilton Spectator
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Arts Burlington Spring Sale showcases diverse local artists, craftspeople
Arts Burlington Spring Sale brings together diverse local artists and craftspeople for a two-day showcase. The sale is set for May 24 and 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, at the Art Gallery of Burlington ( 1333 Lakeshore Rd. ) The event is free to attend. Arts Burlington represents the six artist guilds that have studios in the local art gallery. Guild members selling their creations at the spring sale include potters, photographers, fine artists, sculptors and more. A total of 112 artists and craftspeople are participating in this month's sale. Arts Burlington co-ordinates two shows a year for its diverse members, one in the spring and another in the fall. This is Arts Burlington's 53rd year promoting local artists with the annual sales. It all began in May 1972 when the first sale, then called 'Kaleidoscope,' was held. For more information on the spring sale, and on Arts Burlington, including its guilds, visit the Arts Burlington website .
Hamilton Spectator
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Art Gallery of Burlington celebrates 50th anniversary with community block party
The Art Gallery of Burlington celebrates a 50th anniversary this month, as it starts planning its future. A community block party on Saturday, May 10 and a gala fundraising dinner on May 8 mark five decades since the May 13, 1975 incorporation of Burlington Cultural Centre, a significant step toward the creation of today's art gallery. Meanwhile, a long-planned facility master plan and future needs feasibility study , reviewing possible renovation or expansion of the existing art gallery, at 1333 Lakeshore Rd., and the possibility of a new facility, is almost ready for the gallery's board of directors. 'The reports are in draft format, yet to be presented to the board and city council,' said Emma Sankey, executive director of The Art Gallery of Burlington. 'Once we've been through those critical next steps there will definitely be details to share, just not yet.' Last year, Sankey said the gallery needs to modernize its facilities to serve current and future audiences. 'Limited space and aging infrastructure are significant drivers,' Sankey said. 'The building is aging, with $2-million in capital expenses likely in the next few years.' Celebration is on the minds of gallery staff and supporters this month. Sankey said the May 8 gala is already sold out. A total of 176 guests are expected to raise at least $25,000. 'Funds support the delivery of exhibitions and educational programs at the gallery,' Sankey said. The whole community has a chance to join the party when the art gallery hosts a public block party from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 10. The event features the theme 'We Dig Culture' with a variety of family art activities in the gallery, and across Lakeshore Road in Spencer Smith Park. The block party will also launch the gallery's spring exhibitions. Garden-starter seeds, music, and food from several Burlington restaurants will also be featured. Registration in advance is recommended but not required. For more information on the block party and other events, visit the Art Gallery of Burlington website . Sankey said Tuesday, May 13 will be declared Art Gallery of Burlington Day by the city, and it will feature a celebration including patron and funder recognition and a special cake cutting at the gallery. While the Art Gallery of Burlington physically opened to the public in June 1978, 47 years ago, this year celebrates 50 years of the organization that created the gallery rather than the facility itself.
Hamilton Spectator
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
A Legacy of Care: Burlington Food Bank Celebrates New Beginnings
The Art Gallery of Burlington opened its doors to the Burlington Food Bank and the community on the evening of Wednesday, April 23, for a heartfelt celebration of leadership, legacy, and new beginnings. Friends, volunteers, and supporters gathered to bid farewell to long-time Executive Director Robin Bailey, whose tireless commitment over the past seven years helped shape the organization into a vital pillar of support for families across the city. As Bailey embarks on a new chapter as the executive director of Feed Halton, the evening also marked a warm welcome to Christina Mulder, who steps into the role with a wealth of experience and a deep passion for community service. For many, the Burlington Food Bank has become a beacon of hope for individuals and families facing uncertain times. Wednesday's event brought the community together to reflect on the challenges of food insecurity while also celebrating resilience, compassion, and the incredible strength of Burlington. Guests enjoyed delicious food, heartfelt conversations, and moving speeches from council members, MPP Natalie Pierre, and Mayor Marianne Meed Ward. Words of appreciation Mayor Marianne Meed Ward shared her heartfelt gratitude: 'Your unwavering commitment to service — you have to know that your work has touched thousands and thousands of people in our community — we're proud of you, and you should be proud of what you've achieved. Thank you so much.' Meed Ward added, 'Both Robin and Christina thought deeply about dignity, about ensuring that people seeking support would never feel 'less than,' and that is such an important legacy to uphold.' Incoming Executive Director Christina Mulder also paid tribute to Bailey's leadership. 'Over the past eight years, Robin has redefined what food access looks like in Burlington. His natural, unassuming leadership repaired and renewed relationships, uplifted others doing similar work, and championed the marginalized in our community,' Mulder stated. 'Though he is stepping away from the food bank, our friendship and my admiration for him remain unchanged. His legacy is one we will carry forward with pride.' Speakers also honoured Maria Thornton, who is departing as chairperson after six years on the Burlington Food Bank's board, for her thoughtful leadership and dedication to the cause. 'During unprecedented times throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it was under Robin and [board chair] Maria's stewardship that the food bank remained a reliable source of nourishment and comfort when our community needed it most,' said MPP Natalie Pierre. Board member Rick Owens spoke movingly about Thornton's impact. 'Maria led with purpose, passion, and a deep sense of humanity. She showed up fully and wholeheartedly, bringing grace and empathy even through the most challenging times, like the pandemic. Her leadership was critical to getting us through. She also championed initiatives like the creation of Halton's community-driven food distribution hub, an achievement that will have lasting impact.' Thornton herself shared her reflections and gratitude with the assembled crowd. 'When I joined the board, our mission was to strengthen the Burlington Food Bank's impact — not only responding to need, but doing so with compassion, dignity, and purpose. We made big strides: stabilizing operations through careful stewardship, building reserves, strengthening our visibility and credibility, and transforming how we serve our community. We've created a place where people come not with shame, but with trust.' Giving people access to the food they need with dignity is a key principle of the Burlington Food Bank. Through tears, Thornton thanked the food banks' staff, volunteers, and her fellow board members, whom Thornton credits with making it all possible: 'None of these accomplishments would have been possible without incredible people behind the scenes…I am so proud of what we have built together.' Addressing the urgent need The evening also highlighted how today's economic climate continues to drive food insecurity. 'Economic uncertainty, rising living costs, and global instability have contributed to more people needing support than ever before,' said Board Director Dave Dyson. Mayor Meed Ward spoke to the shocking reality many are facing in Burlington, across Halton, and beyond. 'In our wealthy country, it's astonishing that food insecurity exists — and yet it does, and it's growing. Residents are spending anywhere from 41% to 141% of their income just on healthy food. A weekly grocery bill for a family is now around $297, before paying rent, transportation, or anything else. It's at a crisis level.' Mulder added, 'The Burlington Food Bank has been quietly and consistently addressing one of the most pressing issues of our time. It's our friends and neighbours — people working hard, but struggling to make ends meet — who rely on us.' Meed Ward's and Mulder's comments underscore the rise in the number of working people who are finding that their pay cheques no longer stretch as far as they did before due to rising food and housing costs. It is not only people who must rely on social assistance or those struggling to find work who need help putting food on the table; there are also people with full-time jobs who can no longer afford their grocery bills on top of other costs of living. Looking to the future: a new strategic vision As the evening turned toward the future, Mulder shared the Burlington Food Bank's new three-year strategic plan, grounded in four key themes: elevating standards of care; expanding and modernizing facilities; enhancing training and communications; and strengthening partnerships and outreach. Mulder spoke about hiring staff 'to help clients navigate complex social systems' and ensuring that diversity, equity, and inclusion are ingrained in every aspect of their work to elevate their standards of care over the next three years. With regard to facilities, the Burlington Food Bank is looking to analyze the needs of the community to identify underserved areas for expansion or areas that perhaps require updated facilities. The food bank's commitment to transparency in communication was highlighted, as was the need to 'ensure that everyone feels heard and valued,' said Mulder. That commitment to communication dovetails into their fourth strategic pillar of strengthening partnerships, as they look to deepen their existing partnerships and collaborations, as well as build new partnerships to better serve the community. 'This is more than just a strategic plan — it's a commitment,' Mulder said. 'A commitment to do better, reach further, and ensure that everyone has the dignity of access to food and support when they need it. I am honoured to begin this next chapter with you all.' The evening served as a powerful reminder that food insecurity is not just a statistic — it's a reality affecting families right here in Burlington. It was also a celebration of the extraordinary compassion, strength, and resilience of a community that refuses to let anyone go hungry alone. As rising costs continue to place more families at risk, the Burlington Food Bank stands ready, offering hope, dignity, and unwavering celebration was also a call to action, inspiring all of us to work together to build a future where everyone has access to the nourishment and care they deserve. The Burlington Food Bank welcomes all who want to support their neighbours during these challenging times. For ways to get involved, click here .
CBC
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
A very strange weather phenomenon has struck the Art Gallery of Burlington
The first time Brampton, Ont., artist Misbah Ahmed experienced dry thunder was in 2020. The door of her maternal grandfather's house in Islamabad, Pakistan, had blown open, and when she went closer, she saw lightning streaking the sky and heard the quiet rumble of thunder — but no rain. During dry thunderstorms, rain evaporates before it can reach the ground. And with temperatures rising and a drier atmosphere, the storms could happen more often and increase the risk of wildfires. The phenomenon is the inspiration for Dry Thunder, Ahmed's first institutional solo exhibit, at the Art Gallery of Burlington in Ontario. A mix of paintings and ceramics, it explores the Pakistani-born artist's South Asian heritage. When AGB artistic director Suzanne Carte invited Sarah Edo to curate an exhibition, the Toronto native and former Gardiner Museum curatorial resident approached Ahmed, among other artists. The pair had worked together on Edo's first exhibit — 2023's Within and Without — at Toronto's Whippersnapper Gallery. "My curatorial practice is guided by an artist's attention to materials," Edo said. "I'm also really interested in artists that work with clay as a medium for storytelling, for archiving and for exploration." Last June, Edo visited Ahmed's studio, where a painting caught her eye. It was a night scene Ahmed remembers on the rooftop of her childhood home in Islamabad. "There were intense clouds everywhere and lots of lightning — the entire night, every night, the entire summer," she said. But she didn't remember any rain. In one painting, a memory is rendered in a moody palette of blues and greens and punctuated with a striking yellow — artificial light pouring out of an open door and illuminating two people sitting on a rooftop. Below are the silhouettes of stray dogs roaming the street (Ahmed often heard their howls during storms). Above, lightning flashes across a troubled sky. Ahmed's memories are sometimes fragmented, and her paintings allow her to put them together, capturing a moment that no longer exists in the way it once did. She says she has witnessed the city change a lot between her visits, and it's jarring. Since September, Ahmed has been an artist-in-residence at the AGB, where she crafted works for the exhibit pretty much until it opened. Her oil-on-mylar paintings are now on display, portraying contemporary night scenes of Islamabad centred around her identity. And many of the scenes are of rooftops. "There's something about the rooftop that is tied to my perspective as a woman and as a kind of outsider," Ahmed said. In Pakistan, she said, she feels hypervisible as a woman in public spaces, which she noticed acutely when hanging out with cousins who live there. As someone who visits from Canada, she sometimes feels a disconnect with her homeland. She said she can wear the "right" clothes and adopt local mannerisms, but people just know she doesn't live there. "I'm left with the rooftop as a place where I can observe life and culture in Pakistan," she said. Dry Thunder also includes ceramics exploring folk tales from different regions of Pakistan. The pieces focus on stories about a magical relationship with nature and how that changes over time. One of the ceramic vessels is inspired by the markhor, a species of goat, which lives in the mountains of Pakistan and was historically considered sacred. Pakistani hunters would leave offerings for the supernatural beings, or djinns, who they believed protected the animals. "There was this custom that if you were about to kill the markhor and you had it in your sight and you saw the djinn, you would have to stop," Ahmed said. "But if there was no djinn sighting, it meant that the kill could be made and your family fed." Two intricate tigers form the handles of another vessel with a marbled glaze in hues of brown. Here, Ahmed represents the tiger's symbolic importance as people in Pakistan and throughout the Pakistani diaspora reckon with the aftermath of British colonial rule. In the 19th century, tiger hunting was a way for the British regime to assert its colonial dominance over not only the people, but also the land. Ahmed uses the tiger in her work to pay homage to her family's south Indian heritage. Her paternal grandparents were from Hyderabad, in southern India, and Mysuru (also known as Mysore), a city in southwestern India's Karnataka state. Ahmed remembers a quote from Tipu Sahib, the 16th-century sultan of the Kingdom of Mysore: "Better to live one day as a tiger than a thousand years as a sheep." Known as the Tiger of Mysore, he fought several wars against the imperialist British East India Company and was killed in battle in 1799. "The tiger, when pulled from this reference, is a symbol of continuing to resist colonial structures and colonial powers," Ahmed said.
